Sen. Ira I. Silverstein

Filed: 3/7/2012

 

 


 

 


 
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1
AMENDMENT TO SENATE BILL 2894

2    AMENDMENT NO. ______. Amend Senate Bill 2894 by replacing
3everything after the enacting clause with the following:
 
4    "Section 5. The Guardianship and Advocacy Act is amended by
5changing Section 31 as follows:
 
6    (20 ILCS 3955/31)  (from Ch. 91 1/2, par. 731)
7    Sec. 31. Appointment; availability of State Guardian;
8available private guardian. The State Guardian shall not be
9appointed if another suitable person is available and willing
10to accept the guardianship appointment. In all cases where a
11court appoints the State Guardian, the court shall indicate in
12the order appointing the guardian as a finding of fact that no
13other suitable and willing person could be found to accept the
14guardianship appointment. On and after the effective date of
15this amendatory Act of the 97th General Assembly, the court
16shall also indicate in the order, as a finding of fact, the

 

 

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1reasons that the State Guardian appointment, rather than the
2appointment of another interested party, is required. This
3requirement shall be waived where the Office of State Guardian
4petitions for its own appointment as guardian.
5(Source: P.A. 89-396, eff. 8-20-95.)
 
6    Section 10. The Clerks of Courts Act is amended by adding
7Section 27.3f as follows:
 
8    (705 ILCS 105/27.3f new)
9    Sec. 27.3f. Guardianship and advocacy operations fee.
10    (a) As used in this Section, "guardianship and advocacy"
11means the guardianship and advocacy services provided by the
12Guardianship and Advocacy Commission and defined in the
13Guardianship and Advocacy Act. Viable public guardianship and
14advocacy programs, including the public guardianship programs
15created and supervised in probate proceedings in the Illinois
16courts, are essential to the administration of justice and
17ensure that incapacitated persons and their estates are
18protected. To defray the expense of maintaining and operating
19the divisions and programs of the Guardianship and Advocacy
20Commission and to support viable guardianship and advocacy
21programs throughout Illinois, each circuit court clerk shall
22charge and collect a fee on all matters filed in probate cases
23in accordance with this Section, but no fees shall be assessed
24against the State Guardian, any State agency under the

 

 

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1jurisdiction of the Governor, any public guardian, or any
2State's Attorney.
3    (b) No fees specified in this Section shall be imposed in
4any minor guardianship established under Article XI of the
5Probate Act of 1975, or against an indigent person. An indigent
6person shall include any person who meets one or more of the
7following criteria:
8        (1) He or she is receiving assistance under one or more
9    of the following public benefits programs: Supplemental
10    Security Income (SSI), Aid to the Aged, Blind, and Disabled
11    (AABD), Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF),
12    Food Stamps, General Assistance, State Transitional
13    Assistance, or State Children and Family Assistance.
14        (2) His or her available income is 125% or less of the
15    current poverty level as established by the United States
16    Department of Health and Human Services, unless the
17    applicant's assets that are not exempt under Part 9 or 10
18    of Article XII of this Code are of a nature and value that
19    the court determines that the applicant is able to pay the
20    fees, costs, and charges.
21        (3) He or she is, in the discretion of the court,
22    unable to proceed in an action without payment of fees,
23    costs, and charges and whose payment of those fees, costs,
24    and charges would result in substantial hardship to the
25    person or his or her family.
26        (4) He or she is an indigent person pursuant to Section

 

 

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1    5-105.5 of the Code of Civil Procedure, providing that an
2    "indigent person" means a person whose income is 125% or
3    less of the current official federal poverty guidelines or
4    who is otherwise eligible to receive civil legal services
5    under the Legal Services Corporation Act of 1974.
6    (c) The clerk is entitled to receive the fees specified in
7this Section, which shall be paid in advance, and managed by
8the clerk as set out in paragraph (4), except that, for good
9cause shown, the court may suspend, reduce, or release the
10costs payable under this Section:
11        (1) For administration of the estate of a decedent
12    (whether testate or intestate) or of a missing person, a
13    fee of $50, plus the fees specified in paragraph (3),
14    except:
15            (A) When the value of the real and personal
16        property of a decedent (whether testate or intestate)
17        does not exceed $15,000, no fee shall be assessed.
18            (B) When (i) proof of heirship alone is made, (ii)
19        a domestic or foreign will is admitted to probate
20        without administration (including proof of heirship),
21        or (iii) letters of office are issued for a particular
22        purpose without administration of the estate, the fee
23        shall be $40.
24        (2) For administration of the estate of a ward that
25    results in the appointment of the Office of State Guardian,
26    the fee shall be $250, plus the fees specified in paragraph

 

 

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1    (3).
2        (3) In addition to the fees payable under paragraph (1)
3    or (2) of this subsection (c), the following fees are
4    payable:
5            (A) For each account (other than one final account)
6        filed in the estate of a decedent, or ward, the fee
7        shall be $25.
8            (B) For filing a claim in an estate when the amount
9        claimed is $150 or more but less than $500, the fee
10        shall be $100; when the amount claimed is $500 or more
11        but less than $10,000, the fee shall be $115; when the
12        amount claimed is $10,000 or more, the fee shall be
13        $135; provided that the court in allowing a claim may
14        add to the amount allowed the filing fee paid by the
15        claimant.
16            (C) For filing in an estate a claim, petition, or
17        supplemental proceeding based upon an action seeking
18        equitable relief including the construction or contest
19        of a will, enforcement of a contract to make a will,
20        and proceedings involving a testamentary trust or the
21        appointment of a testamentary trustee, the fee shall be
22        $60.
23            (D) For filing in an estate (i) the appearance of
24        any person for the purpose of consent or (ii) the
25        appearance of an executor, administrator,
26        administrator to collect, guardian, guardian ad litem,

 

 

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1        or special administrator, no fee.
2            (E) Except as provided in subparagraph (D) of this
3        paragraph (3), for filing the appearance of any person
4        or persons, the fee shall be $30.
5            (F) For each jury demand, the fee shall be $180.
6            (G) For disposition of the collection of a judgment
7        or settlement of an action or claim for wrongful death
8        of a decedent or of any cause of action of a ward, when
9        there is no other administration of the estate, the fee
10        shall be $50, less any amount paid under subparagraph
11        (B) of paragraph (1) or subparagraph (B) of this
12        paragraph (3), except that if the amount involved does
13        not exceed $5,000, the fee, including any amount paid
14        under subparagraph (B) of paragraph (1) or
15        subparagraph (B) of this paragraph (3), shall be $20.
16        (4) The guardianship and advocacy operations fees, as
17    outlined in this Section, shall be in addition to all other
18    fees and charges and assessable as costs and shall not be
19    subject to disbursement under Section 27.5 or 27.6 of this
20    Act. Twenty percent of the fee shall be retained by the
21    clerk to defray costs of collection and 80% of the fee
22    shall be disbursed within 60 days after receipt by the
23    circuit clerk to the State Treasurer for deposit by the
24    State Treasurer into the Guardianship and Advocacy Fund.
 
25    Section 15. The Probate Act of 1975 is amended by changing

 

 

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1Sections 11a-3, 11a-12, 11a-20, and 13-1 and by adding Section
213-1.3 as follows:
 
3    (755 ILCS 5/11a-3)  (from Ch. 110 1/2, par. 11a-3)
4    Sec. 11a-3. Adjudication of disability; Power to appoint
5guardian.
6    (a) Upon the filing of a petition by a reputable person or
7by the alleged disabled person himself or on its own motion,
8the court may adjudge a person to be a disabled person, but
9only if it has been demonstrated by clear and convincing
10evidence that the person is a disabled person as defined in
11Section 11a-2. If the court adjudges a person to be a disabled
12person, the court may appoint (1) a guardian of his person, if
13it has been demonstrated by clear and convincing evidence that
14because of his disability he lacks sufficient understanding or
15capacity to make or communicate responsible decisions
16concerning the care of his person, or (2) a guardian of his
17estate, if it has been demonstrated by clear and convincing
18evidence that because of his disability he is unable to manage
19his estate or financial affairs, or (3) a guardian of his
20person and of his estate.
21    (b) Guardianship shall be utilized only as is necessary to
22promote the well-being of the disabled person, to protect him
23from neglect, exploitation, or abuse, and to encourage
24development of his maximum self-reliance and independence.
25Guardianship shall be implemented in the least restrictive

 

 

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1alternative, shall maximize the alleged disabled person's
2right to self-determination and autonomy, and Guardianship
3shall be ordered only to the extent necessitated by the
4individual's actual mental, physical and adaptive limitations.
5In determining the least restrictive alternative, the court
6shall consider options that allow the ward to live, learn, and
7work in a setting that places as few limits as possible on the
8ward's rights and personal freedom as appropriate to meet the
9needs of the ward.
10(Source: P.A. 93-435, eff. 1-1-04.)
 
11    (755 ILCS 5/11a-12)  (from Ch. 110 1/2, par. 11a-12)
12    Sec. 11a-12. Order of appointment.)
13    (a) If basis for the appointment of a guardian as specified
14in Section 11a-3 is not found, the court shall dismiss the
15petition.
16    (b) If the respondent is adjudged to be disabled and to
17lack some but not all of the be totally without capacity as
18specified in Section 11a-3, and if the court finds that limited
19guardianship is necessary for the protection of will not
20provide sufficient protection for the disabled person, his or
21her estate, or both, the court shall appoint a limited plenary
22guardian for the respondent's person or estate or both. The
23court shall enter a written order stating the factual basis for
24its findings and specifying the duties and powers of the
25guardian and the legal disabilities to which the respondent is

 

 

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1subject.
2    (c) If the respondent is adjudged to be disabled and to be
3totally without lack some but not all of the capacity as
4specified in Section 11a-3, and if the court finds that limited
5guardianship will not provide sufficient is necessary for the
6protection for of the disabled person, his or her estate, or
7both, the court shall appoint a plenary guardian for limited
8guardian of the respondent's person or estate or both. The
9court shall enter a written order stating the factual basis for
10its findings and specifying the duties and powers of the
11guardian and the legal disabilities to which the respondent is
12subject.
13    (d) The selection of the guardian shall be in the
14discretion of the court, which shall give due consideration to
15the preference of the disabled person as to a guardian, as well
16as the qualifications of the proposed guardian, in making its
17appointment.
18(Source: P.A. 89-396, eff. 8-20-95.)
 
19    (755 ILCS 5/11a-20)  (from Ch. 110 1/2, par. 11a-20)
20    Sec. 11a-20. Termination of adjudication of disability -
21Revocation of letters - modification.) (a) Except as provided
22in subsection (b-5), upon Upon the filing of a petition by or
23on behalf of a disabled person or on its own motion, the court
24may terminate the adjudication of disability of the ward,
25revoke the letters of guardianship of the estate or person, or

 

 

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1both, or modify the duties of the guardian if the ward's
2capacity to perform the tasks necessary for the care of his
3person or the management of his estate has been demonstrated by
4clear and convincing evidence. A report or testimony by a
5licensed physician is not a prerequisite for termination,
6revocation or modification of a guardianship order under this
7subsection (a).
8    (b) Except as provided in subsection (b-5), a A request by
9the ward or any other person on the ward's behalf, under this
10Section may be communicated to the court or judge by any means,
11including but not limited to informal letter, telephone call or
12visit. Upon receipt of a request from the ward or another
13person, the court may appoint a guardian ad litem to
14investigate and report to the court concerning the allegations
15made in conjunction with said request, and if the ward wishes
16to terminate, revoke, or modify the guardianship order, to
17prepare the ward's petition and to render such other services
18as the court directs.
19    (b-5) Upon the filing of a verified petition by the
20guardian of the disabled person or the disabled person, the
21court may terminate the adjudication of disability of the ward,
22revoke the letters of guardianship of the estate or person, or
23both, or modify the duties of the guardian if: (i) a report
24completed in accordance with subsection (a) of Section 11a-9
25states that the disabled person is no longer in need of
26guardianship or that the type and scope of guardianship should

 

 

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1be modified; (ii) the disabled person no longer wishes to be
2under guardianship or desires that the type and scope of
3guardianship be modified; and (iii) the guardian of the
4disabled person states that it is in the best interest of the
5disabled person to terminate the adjudication of disability of
6the ward, revoke the letters of guardianship of the estate or
7person, or both, or modify the duties of the guardian, and
8provides the basis thereof. In a proceeding brought pursuant to
9this subsection (b-5), the court may terminate the adjudication
10of disability of the ward, revoke the letters of guardianship
11of the estate or person, or both, or modify the duties of the
12guardian, unless it has been demonstrated by clear and
13convincing evidence that the ward is incapable of performing
14the tasks necessary for the care of his or her person or the
15management of his or her estate.
16    (c) Notice of the hearing on a petition under this Section,
17together with a copy of the petition, shall be given to the
18ward, unless he is the petitioner, and to each and every
19guardian to whom letters of guardianship have been issued and
20not revoked, not less than 14 days before the hearing.
21(Source: P.A. 86-605.)
 
22    (755 ILCS 5/13-1)  (from Ch. 110 1/2, par. 13-1)
23    Sec. 13-1. Appointment and term of public administrator and
24public guardian.) Except as provided in Sections Section 13-1.1
25and 13-1.3, before the first Monday of December, 1977 and every

 

 

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14 years thereafter, and as often as vacancies occur, the
2Governor, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate,
3shall appoint in each county a suitable person to serve as
4public administrator and a suitable person to serve as public
5guardian of the county. The Governor may appoint the same
6person to serve as public guardian and public administrator in
7one or more counties. In considering the number of counties of
8service for any prospective public guardian or public
9administrator the Governor may consider the population of the
10county and the ability of the prospective public guardian or
11public administrator to travel to multiple counties and manage
12estates in multiple counties. Each person so appointed holds
13his office for 4 years from the first Monday of December, 1977
14and every 4 years thereafter or until his successor is
15appointed and qualified.
16(Source: P.A. 96-752, eff. 1-1-10.)
 
17    (755 ILCS 5/13-1.3 new)
18    Sec. 13-1.3. Transition to Office of State Guardian. In
19counties having a population of 1,000,000 or less, and in which
20there is no currently serving public guardian, the Governor
21shall, within 90 days after the effective date of this
22amendatory Act of the 97th General Assembly, appoint the Office
23of State Guardian the public guardian. In counties having a
24population of 1,000,000 or less, and in which a public guardian
25is currently serving but that public guardian's term of office

 

 

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1has expired, the Governor shall, no earlier than 9 months and
2no later than 15 months after the effective date of this
3amendatory Act of the 97th General Assembly, appoint the Office
4of State Guardian the public guardian. Subsequently, in
5counties having a population of 1,000,000 or less and upon the
6expiration of the public guardian's term, the State Guardian
7shall be appointed the public guardian. The State Guardian
8appointed as public guardian shall serve continuously and not
9be subject to 4-year terms of appointment. In cases in which
10the State Guardian serves as public guardian, the State
11Guardian shall assume only the duties described in Sections 30
12and 32 of the Guardianship and Advocacy Act and shall be
13otherwise subject to the provisions of the Guardianship and
14Advocacy Act and not this Article XIII.".